Everything we know about HMPV as NHS asks people to stay away from others if they notice symptoms

Here is everything we know about HMPV virus as healthcare experts issue a warning to avoid socialising if you notice symptoms.

A recent spike in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) identified in China has left people around the world wondering if they should be rushing to the supermarket in order to panic buy toilet rolls and dried pasta to prepare for yet another lockdown.

However, there's no need to rush out and gather your emergency supplies just yet, as health experts have known about HMPV for several years - which means that it's low on the list of diseases likely to cause a pandemic.

Everybody breathe a sigh of relief.

What is HMPV?

First identified back in the Netherlands in 2001, HMPV is a virus which causes infections in the body's upper respiratory tract. Put simply, you get a cold.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the majority of people who contract HMPV will only display mild symptoms, however, it can make some people very unwell.

What are the signs and symptoms of HMPV?

As a part of the family which is responsible for the bulk of the common colds, you won't be surprised to learn that HMPV symptoms don't differ too much from your generic winter sniffles.

Typical symptoms of HMPV include:

• cough
• fever
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body ache
• headache

For a smaller percentage of people, HMPV can lead to further health issues such as pneumonia, bronchiolitis or bronchitis. These symptoms can include wheezing, dehydration, difficulty breathing and fatigue.

What is the incubation period for HMPV?

It's also understood the incubation period for HMPV is around three to six days.

This can vary depending on the severity of HMPV but is not too dissimilar to other respiratory viruses.

What to do if you suspect you may have HMPV

HMPV is spread from person-to-person through infected particles travelling through the air, specifically in small or confined spaces. It can also spread through a person touching contaminated surfaces and then their eyes, nose or mouth.

Therefore common courtesy of keeping your distance when sick, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing your hands all apply.

"If you have symptoms such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable," Dr Watson previously told Sky News.

"There are many viruses in circulation at the moment, including flu - if you have symptoms of a respiratory illness and you need to go out, our advice continues to be that you should consider wearing a face mask."

Could there be a lockdown following a HMPV outbreak?

As things currently stand, no. Explaining the risk of HMPV causing a global pandemic or lockdown Virologist Dr Andrew Catchpole told The Vaccine Alliance: "Whilst HMPV does mutate and change over time with new strains emerging, it is not a virus that we consider to have pandemic potential.

"This is because the changes in HMPV are gradual and based on previously circulating strains.

"Pandemics occur when a totally new virus enters the human population, like for Covid-19 when a totally new variant of the virus enters the human population by combination of a human and animal version of the virus."